For 7 years growing up I raced on the MRA circuit of Milan Cycle City and Delta Raceway, tracks that in their time were decent surfaces, but the venues lacked “luster”. After an 11 year hiatus from Motocross, having left the sport to focus on a successful amateur wrestling career and on a semi-pro career in (standup) Jet ski Freestyle, I returned to my roots- where my real passion was, MX. First track back riding was Milan Cycle City- why not go back to familiar ground right? More on that next week – times have changed and so have tracks! I had heard rumors of another track only 2 miles from Milan Cycle City, but was this track public? Private? Crap? I would soon find out as two of my friends recommended we go there on a Saturday for their 10-4pm open practice.

The Cooper Family has been running this Open practice track since 2007

The Facility:

Supercoops is a relatively short drive off US23 at the Plank Road exit in Milan, Michigan. Run by a family of moto, BMX, RC enthusiasts even Mrs. Cooper rides. The facility initially went through some trouble from neighbors relating to operating as a business, practice track, etc. In reality it was a neighbor likely upset over the change of a field he used to hunt, into an MX track. After some court time and the usual rumble that MX tracks deal with lately (cough thumper’s fault, cough?…), the Coopers set a permanent training schedule that allows good practice sessions with weekday and weekend riding. Perfect for a guy like me that sways from the ‘usual’ 9-5 career. Unfortunately this is a practice only facility, and no sanctioned races are held here. But hey, that’s alright by us as well.

The landscape for the track layout is relatively flat, as can be expected in the farmlands of southeast Michigan and Northern, Ohio. But the dirt here is primo. An excellent mix of tacky, loamy topsoil with several large sand sections toward the back of the property. The track layout and jumps are relatively beginner friendly, and also can be put to test with for even the expert rider. Mr. Cooper is the dozer man and is always progressing and asking for feedback on new layouts and if the riders like the improvement. Mr. Cooper can always be found in the pits, watching riders, chatting, asking for improvement and suggestions, and helping fallen athletes. This man lives moto and is very friendly and inviting to new riders.

Since clearing up their issues with the county/neighbors, considerable time has been spent on revamping the land. An excellent youth/pee-wee track has been added on the East side of the property. Almost regularly only one or two bikes on it at a time. An RC track, as well as a large pond with lake jump and water trampoline.

The Ride:

Showing up on a Saturday afternoon I expected to see a load of trucks, trailers, and bikes ripping up the track. Not so.

It had rained lightly through the evening and early afternoon and then cleared up to perfect sun. We were a handful of eight or ten riders at the track. Conditions were perfect, watered by God. Ripping a 2001 YZ 125 at the time; a superb bike for getting back into the MX game cheaply. I signed the forms, threw in a $20 donation to the facility and let a little braaaapp rip. Feeling out the track didn’t take too long, however being so few bikes on a freshly groomed track, few lines were formed. Good for beginners, but also making riding a little less predictable. Jump faces were good, albeit a slight lip on one of the table tops that could lead to some sketchy launches. Feeling good.

As the afternoon wore on, about a dozen more bikes showed up. Practice was open, but a lot of space between riders.

Supercoops MX Helmet Cam:

The Good:

Very Friendly staff/owners. Inexpensive for lots of riding, basically open practices except for the youth classes.

RC, Moto, Pond Jumps

Easy to get to via US 23 from both Ohio and Northern, Michigan. 20 Minutes south of I-94

Usually, even on weekends, less than 10 bikes on the track at a time. Big plus for going long motos. Great ride/dirt when wet. (that’s what she said)

Listen to rider feedback and adjust accordingly

The Bad:

Usually only one flagger is positioned on the tower by the big table top. If at all. Mr. Cooper and few other are often wandering the track, but flaggers tend to be scarce. Although most times I have ridden here, it has not been an issue as the number of bikes were limited.

Saturday sessions end at 4pm, so that means little time to recover from my Red Bull Vodkas at Rick’s Cafe.

Can get very dusty on windy days, once we went to ride and they shut the track down as not to upset the neighbors. Understandable.

Track built on completely flat land, no elevation changes or off-cambers.

Overall, worth a trip to check out the riding on a weekend or week night. Good for local practice sessions, and getting some track time in. Not close to the level of some of the bigger tracks in Michigan, but that isn’t what they are going for. The goal here is to provide another practice track option to local riders, and continue to develop the track to fit these riders needs.

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UPDATE: Through out the summer of 2012 the Coopers have been installing a watering system along the track, they also got a full time waterman and a new water truck. The dust is no longer an issue! Constant improvements from these guys.